Confession: Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday.
I think it’s nerdy. I think it’s cheesy. I think it’s unnecessarily stressful.
Don’t get me wrong–I’m all about making homemade Valentines, rocking Valentine’s Day Class Parties and eating fondue as a family; I just think the chocolate and flower gift-giving is annoying.
And I really love chocolate, and I really love flowers.
So instead of buying your kids chocolate that they don’t need and instead of buying flowers they don’t want, I have an idea.
How about buying your kids some books for Valentine’s Day?
Or how about heading to the library and picking up a bunch of books for them that they can read this week? This heart-filled, pink and red week?
Add a literacy twist, and Valentine’s Day takes on a whole different spin. In my mind, at least.
So because I have three middle graders under my roof, I thought I’d share some Valentine’s Day books for middle graders. That is, books for the 8-11 year old set.
Here’s the skinny. . .
Valentine’s Day Books for Middle Grader Readers:
The first three sets are recommended for grades 3-6; the last four are for slightly older readers.
1. Valentine’s Day from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler and illustrated by Jared D. Lee
2. How to Drive Your Family Crazy on Valentine’s Day, by Dean Marney
3. Star Wars: A Very Vader Valentine’s Day, by Trey King
4. The Valentine’s Day Disaster, by Brandi Dougherty
5. 23 Ways to Mess Up Valentine’s Day, by Valerie Wilson Wesley
6. The Valentine Star, by Patricia Reilly Giff
7. Abby’s Un-Valentine , by Ann M. Martin
8. Valentine Frankenstein, by Maggie Twohill
9. Candy Apple #22: The Sweetheart Deal Special Edition, by Holly Kowitt
10. Roses Are Dread, Violets Are Boo!: A Vampire Valentine Story, by Michelle Poploff
11. My Weird School Special: Oh, Valentine, We’ve Lost Our Minds!, by Dan Gutman
12. Love Stinks!, by Nancy E. Krulik
13. Four Stupid Cupids, by Gregory Maguire
14. Heart to Heart With Mallory, by Laurie B. Friedman
15. Candy Apple #7: Totally Crushed, by Eliza Willard
16. The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 7), by Jeff Kinney
17. Valentine Princess, by Meg Cabot
18. Crush: Stories, by Ellen Conford
19. Mates, Dates, And Cosmic Kisses, by Cathy Hopkins (or get the whole series!)
20. It’s Happy Bunny #1: Love Bites, by Jim Benton
What am I missing? I’d love to hear what Valentines books are your faves for this age group.
Want a few more fun Valentine’s Day ideas? Check out:
- How to throw a rockstar Valentine’s Day class party
- Valentine’s Day Class party 2.0
- Valentine’s Day Class Party ideas: Get Kids Moving and Grooving
- Minute to Win It Class Party
- Musical Hearts
- Secret Message Valentines
- Melted Crayon Valentines
- Bookmark Valentines
- Scratch-Off Ticket Valentines
- Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Notes
- HEART Bingo
fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.
